Former Vornado exec joins Bierbrier Development

C. Russell DeMartino, the former vice president at Vornado Realty Trust who helped shepherd the Filene’s redevelopment through Boston’s approval process only to have the project stall — leaving a hole in the city’s shopping district — has joined Bierbrier Development as development vice president.

Approved in 2008 by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the $700 million One Franklin development, as the project was called, included a 39-story mixed-use tower that would feature 300,000 square feet of retail, 166 condominiums, a 280-room hotel and 475,000 square feet of office space. But following the demolition of two Filene’s buildings, the project stalled; the development team, which included John Hynes, said they were unable to secure financing to make the project happen.

During his time with Vornado in Boston, DeMartino refused to comment on the stalled Filene’s project, citing a corporate policy that prohibited him from talking with reporters.In a telephone interview with the Boston Business Journal Thursday, DeMartino said despite his departure from the New York-based real estate investment trust after nearly nine years, he still cannot comment on the controversial Filene’s project.

“I apologize, but I told Vornado when I left I would not talk about Filene’s and I have to stick to that,” he said.

Earlier this year, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who once threatened to seize the former Filene’s property by eminent domain, said Millennium Partners had signed a deal with Vornado to jump start the project.

At Bierbrier Development in Lexington, DeMartino will be responsible for acquisitions and mixed-use retail development projects, as well as leasing and sales for new and existing assets. He will also handle the company’s “village retail” concept.

“Obviously, the projects at Bierbrier are much smaller, but it’s a lot more personally vested in what’s going on locally,” he said.